Pitching itself at the very centre of the UK’s funkiest dance labels, we’re keen to find out more about Jalapeno Records, the Brighton-based label, publisher and artist management company…
Hi! Can you tell us, what kind of music does Jalapeno Records specialise in?
We specialise in soul, funk, blues, jazz, disco and the funkier end of electronic music. All of the good stuff that you can dance to basically.
If you could recommend just the one release from your back catalogue for our readers to listen to today, what would it be?
Wow that’s a really tough question! One tune that always puts a smile on our faces is Triumph Stag by label founders Skeewiff. It has keys by the legendary Alan Hawkshaw and it blows the cobwebs away every time it comes on.
Who was your most recent signing and what do they sound like?
Our most recent signing was Gizelle Smith. She’s an incredible soul and funk artist with a blistering live show. She released her debut on a German label called Mocambo a couple of years back and the whole scene sat up and took notice. Very excited to have her on board.
Tell us about your Jalapeno Bop gig at The Old Market December 9th (8pm, £17.50, buy your tickets now online here).
Yes! So excited about this one. Smoove & Turrell are the headline live act and they always smash the place up – sometimes literally. Izo FitzRoy who released her debut with us this year is supporting andhas one of the finest blues voices we’ve ever heard. Late night is taken care of by two of the finest DJs in the business The Allergies – whose recent album release made big waves on BBC 6 Music. The Old Market is a great venue and perfect for our new night.
Should we keep our eyes peeled for more events like this from you in the future?
Absolutely – we are planning regular Jalapeno Bops bringing amazing live acts and DJs together in Brighton. It’s just a great opportunity to book the acts we really want to see. The first edition is a 100% Jalapeno Records affair but we are looking to the best of the bands in our genres for future editions – not just our own acts.
Which other exciting plans do you have for the rest of 2017?
Well it’s been a hectic year with new albums and tours from Izo FitzRoy, The Allergies and Ephemerals, and we had our 250th release which was a big one, so the rest of the year is finishing those album campaigns and prepping for albums early next year from Smoove & Turrell and Gizelle Smith.
We put out a Jalapeno Funk compilation at the end of every year so getting that right is a big focus too.
Are there any Brighton-based artists, DJs or creatives you think should be on our radar?
Flevans is a Brighton-based producer who makes amazing music. He recorded a more electronic album for us as AOTOA but his Flevans album this year on LOA Records was a bomb. We have another great hip hop/ electronica artist Asta Hiroki on the roster who is doing really well at the moment and also Titeknots is a really strong electronic producer from Brighton that we are big fans of.
The Tru Thoughts gang are always worth a mention as they are constantly evolving and signing amazing artists. There are tons of great labels in Brighton – Shogun Audio, Freshly Squeezed, Lost Tribe.
The list goes on!
Finally, why ‘Jalapeno’?
Because we’re bringing the HEAT!
Follow the label at:
Jalapenorecords.com
Facebook.com/jalapenorecords
Reminder: Don’t forget to check out music from this brilliant Brighton label live at The Old Market December 9th – 8pm, £17.50, buy tickets online here.
